Here is a different take on this weekend's sad saga.I think the implications of NDLF's point is even more fundamental than corruption.If governmental officials pay their way - food, transporation and the like when engaging in private matters.They are likely to be less vulnerable to "physical and political accidents".Except of course in Nigeria where only the politician and the connected get the best services on the people's dime.Nevertheless, this an interesting take that has long-term implications for a nation that really wants to be a nation.

Remains of crashed Agusta 109E Nigerian Navy helicopterBy SaharaReporters, New YorkThe Nigeria Democratic Liberty Forum (NDLF) has described as a “disgrace” the conduct of government officials in failing to distinguish between official duties and private events.

In a statement issued today, the group said it was appalled by the crass display of impunity by the Goodluck Jonathan administration in the deployment of federal government's military assets for private and social events to the extent that military equipment has become a perk of office.

“The prior use of similar chopper by President Goodluck Jonathan during the burial of his brother in Otueke and the use of a Naval chopper by Presidential aide-Mr Oronto Douglas for his father's burial which resulted in the loss of the Nigerian Navy helicopter is reprehensible,” NDLF said.

It called on President Jonathan to reimburse the Nigerian military at charter cost for the use of its air assets for the burial of his brother and to desist from such use from now on.

In the case of presidential adviser Oronto Douglas, NDLF said he should be compelled to replace the lost helicopter or pay the insurance premiums of the helicopter to date if the Nigerian government bothered to insure the equipment in the first place.

“The Nigerian President should note that President Barack Obama would not use military equipments for private social functions let alone his aide,” NDLF sneered.

It said of the American practice: “While the Nigerian President uses the Presidential jet unrestricted, the United States President reimburses the government for part of the cost of the use of Air Force One, the Presidential aircraft (not a military aircraft) for time clocked in flying to political events.“That shows how the peoples' business should be conducted.”

So na today them sabi say Nigerian government misuses everything that they own?!

Okay... Let me jug their memory a little.

Everyday, we see bullion vans overtake us in traffic, driving rough at breakneck speed, and with it are two vans of atleast 10 Nigerian police officers. SO the NDLF does not know that its not the Nigerian Polices Job to be escorting money abi?!

OKAY!! What about the new trend of using the Nigerian Military to escort Oyinbo men and guard their houses?! So the NDLF has not seen this treand as well abi?!

OKAY!!! What about the one of rich people buying police escorts?! Even for their wives and children?!

OR the trend of using the Nigerian Police vehicles to carry cement for private citizens?!

WHAT of the Nigerian Army APCS that are stationed at peoples houses?!

OR MTN using the Nigerian ARMY as Maiguard for their shop in Port-harcourt?!

Everything is this country is misused.. I am surprised that the Nigerian C-120 Airforce planes have not started flying commercial and Armoured tanks have not started running Port-Harcourt to Asaba or Lagos.

And the interesting part is the this helicopter that crashed was bought with TAX PAYERS MONEY O!! Na still our money them go use replace am, na still our money go maintain am.. But when time to use am reach, na for Politicians. These Army and Police that Oyinbos and co have turned into Maiguards, bodyguards and Nwa boy are paid their salaries with TAX PAYERS MONEY!! The guns they use to protect these people were bought, maintained and armed with TAX PAYERS MONEY!!

ABEGI!!

I will be needing the Nigerian Navy Submarine to go and catch crab on the ocean floor next year o!![/b]

my five year old kid get sense pass GEJ. reason my boy once told me that john his friend want to borrow his BICYCLE to lesson he said no ..why cos ' Daddy if he damage the bicycle i can not ask him to repair it and u will use your money to repair it for me...so therefor i dont want u to wast ur money cos is avoidable expenses .

It is so shameful that our govt don't know d diff btw social and official matters.They might know but trying to merge them together because of the position they occupy, not knowing that we are washing all their steps.

Nigerian DEMONCRAZY -Demostration of craze,Crazy Demostration and politics of covetousnessConvert the people's patrimony to personal useSMH for we need a revolution of orientation,values & accountability.

Dem get O!But while that of Yankee,the Russians etal fire missles of all kinds,that of 9ja fires nets used to catch crabs(as okijajuju said) and crayfish.What do you expect seeing their helicopters are used for burial party trips?

crisycent: I am beginning to wonder why it is a BIG DEAL or GREAT ACHIEVEMENT to be the first,second or third person to comment on a post on NL. I thought people in this forum are matured people and not kids?

Back to the topic on ground.....It is sad that in this country, the army are body guards to construction workers in RCC and its like. H

is this your comment better than "1st or 2nd to comment". you better watch ya back, we'll adults

Whoever wrote that stuff up there is a massive 1diot! President Goodluck Jonathan is the commander in chief of the armed forces of Nigeria. He is the highest ranking military officer in Nigeria. People just say things out of ignorance.

If you talking about Oronto Douglas, that is a different matter. We can debate that. That is something that has been going on in Nigeria since I can remember. For your information, the military does provide the helicopters for hire. The police and military provide a lot of commercial services to the public. It is ignorant to think that all police and military service to the public is free. And if you think that GEJ sits in his office everyday allocating who will use helicopter, then you are also ignorant. These things are handled by protocol. And he has complete access and right to use any military helicopter available. That is what obtains all over the world.